How to Transfer Accounts between Interactive Brokers and E*Trade
With the super-easy ACATS (Automated Customer Account Transfer Service) network, investment accounts can easily be transferred between E*Trade and Interactive Brokers (or Interactive Advisors). Just follow our user-friendly guide.
Transfer from Interactive Brokers to E*Trade
Transferring self-directed accounts between E*Trade and Interactive Brokers—and robo accounts between E*Trade and Interactive Advisors—is a breeze using the ACATS e-transfer system. You do need to follow all protocols, however; otherwise, delays and problems will be experienced.
Step #1: The very first thing you need to do is
open a new brokerage or robo account at E*Trade. It’s possible to move either account setup from Interactive Brokers/Advisors into either type at E*Trade. Specific holdings can be moved out of an Interactive Advisors robo account, although E*Trade’s robo service may use different funds, so these would probably be sold off to generate cash to buy the ETFs that E*Trade uses. It is possible to go from robo account to self-directed, in which case either cash or positions can be moved.
After choosing the correct investment approach, the account needs to be opened. This chore can be accomplished in short order on either E*Trade’s website or mobile app. Using the same name and tax structure (such as IRA or custodial account) will help immensely, although E*Trade will perform a transfer if the account has a different name on it. A
paper form is required for this, and the process is slower.
Step #2: Continuing with the electronic transfer, the Interactive Brokers account needs to be fully prepared to accept an incoming ACATS. An Interactive Advisors account, being an automated account, won’t need much prep work. If you want to move cash only, the positions will need to be sold off. Be sure to consult with a licensed tax professional before selling anything.
An Interactive Brokers account may need several tasks completed before an ACATS request can be made. Many assets available to Interactive Brokers clients simply aren’t available at E*Trade. Such products include warrants, foreign stocks, forex, and cryptocurrencies. These should be sold off, transferred to a second IBKR account, or left behind in a partial transfer. Options that expire in less than a week should not be moved through the ACATS system, nor should any futures contracts. These should be handled in the same manner.
Some mutual funds available at Interactive Brokers may not be available at E*Trade. It’s advisable to check on the E*Trade fund screener (available on both the website and mobile app) if a particular fund can be moved in. Some over-the-counter stocks may not be transferrable, either.
Before the transfer commences, it’s important to close out open orders and get rid of unsettled trades.
Step #3: With the IBKR account set up correctly, it’s time to work on the E*Trade account. A self-directed account will need options trading and margin capability added if these will be moved with the IBKR account. It’s imperative to add the correct options level if any advanced strategies will be moved.
Step #4: The fourth step is where the ACATS request is actually made. It should be made with E*Trade because E*Trade is the incoming investment firm. To access the ACATS form on the main mobile app, log in and tap on the Menu tab in the bottom row of icons. On the next page, select the Transfer link. Doing so will produce a new page with several choices. Scroll down to the Account Transfer link. Now you’ll have the ACATS form.
You’ll need to specify Interactive Brokers as the outgoing firm for either a self-directed or robo account. There will be several choices in the drop-down field based on the number of digits in the account number. Choose the correct one. Go through the various pages on the form and supply the requested details.
Step #5: After the request has been submitted, it’s easy to monitor its progress on either the mobile app or website. The initial page for the ACATS transfer has an activity section that shows previously-submitted transfer requests.
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Transfer from E*Trade to Interactive Brokers
If you want to move an account in the opposite direction, a similar, although not exact, path will need to be followed.
Step #1: Either an Interactive Brokers account or Interactive Advisors account
needs to be opened. Either can receive a transfer from either setup (robo or self-managed) at E*Trade. An automated account will only accept a transfer of cash, though, so this may change things somewhat. Remember the two rules about names and tax structures. It’s only possible to transfer an IRA into an IRA, for example.
Step #2: The E*Trade account needs to be adequately prepped. As already mentioned, if you plan to transfer into a robo account with Interactive Advisors, only cash will be accepted. Thus, all positions will have to be liquidated.
If you plan to transfer into a self-managed account with Interactive Brokers, many positions, but not all, will be accepted. Futures contracts can’t be sent through the ACATS network, so these must be handled in one of the three ways already suggested. The rules for mutual funds, OTC securities, and short-term options apply in this direction.
Interactive Brokers will not accept transfers of some U.S.-listed micro-cap stocks. Only large accounts that meet various criteria can transfer these assets in. IBKR maintains an information page on this issue.
Step #3: The IBKR account must also be prepared. A self-directed account will need to have margin and options added if these will be sent from E*Trade.
Step #4: Submitting an ACATS request is easy using the IBKR website or mobile app. On the former platform, simply log in and head to the Transfer & Pay tab in the top of the site. In the drop-down menu underneath this link is a selection of sub-links. Click on the one to transfer positions.
On the next page, you’ll need to specify an incoming transfer, then the region, which will be the United States for a transfer from E*Trade. Finally, select ACATS from the list of available transfer types.
Doing so will generate the ACATS digital form. At the top, there is a group of brokers. Select E*Trade. Further down the list, full or partial transfer can be specified. There is an option to allow for the exclusion of mutual funds that Interactive Brokers won’t accept. With everything filled in correctly, it’s time to submit the ACATS request.
To access the same ACATS form on the mobile app, go to the More tab in the bottom menu and scroll down to the same Transfer & Pay section.
Step #5:
Check on the status of the transfer by calling (877) 442-2757. Interactive Brokers also offers live human chat on its website. Look for the Support Center under the Help link at the very top of the site.
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Cost of ACATS
At Interactive Brokers, there is no charge for an incoming or outgoing ACATS transfer. There can be a charge for an ACH withdrawal in some cases, so be aware of this if you plan to send cash into a robo account with E*Trade.
E*Trade charges nothing to receive an ACATS, although it does have a $75 outgoing fee for a full transfer. A partial is $25, although E*Trade is nice enough to waive the fee if the account remains above $5k.
How Long Does an ACATS Take?
An ACATS is typically processed within a week, and assets arrive in the receiving account in less than two weeks.
Updated on 1/12/2026.
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